As part of this project, our team was commissioned by the CISSSO to design the new outpatient clinics at Gatineau Hospital. The project had to meet the needs of several departments, including respiratory therapy, ophthalmology, dermatology, and gynecology, all in a central area with space limitations. Early on, meetings with the clinical teams allowed us to identify specific needs, particularly in terms of specialized equipment, and then adjust the concept through numerous reviews. The goal was to create a bright, warm, and soothing environment, focusing on curved shapes and biophilic elements such as wood and forest murals. Rooted in the sense of well-being that Scandinavian design inspires, this approach aimed to disrupt the usual coldness of hospital spaces and reduce patients’ medical anxiety.
The layout includes two reception areas, a main waiting room and a closed negative pressure waiting room, examination and procedure rooms, specialized rooms, a minor surgery room, administrative offices, and nursing stations. In addition to the external clinics, the new premises provide teaching space for the Outaouais Campus of McGill University’s Faculty of Medicine, where students receive practical training in a hospital environment.
The neutral palette, comprising colors such as white, sand, and taupe, was chosen to create a timeless atmosphere compatible with the numerous wall protections. Technical constraints included hospital infection prevention standards, durable materials for repeated use, and the integration of signage. During the project, one of the major challenges faced by the team was the demolition and reconstruction in one week of an area located above the sterilization room, requiring the contractor to work continuously, day and night.
The patient experience guided the entire project: clinics often receive people awaiting important diagnosis or surgery, and the environment was designed to give them a sense of calm during this period. The lighting, natural-looking materials, and soft shapes create an atmosphere that contrasts with other areas of the hospital. The renovated space thereby offers a soothing and functional setting for patients, professionals, and future doctors as they develop their clinical practice.